Women's imaging in global health radiology

Abstract

This chapter focuses on women's imaging after the child-bearing years, concentrating on imaging for breast cancer screening and diagnosis, and dual X-ray absorptiometry for osteoporosis screening. Key concepts include the changing epidemiology of breast cancer and osteoporosis in low- and middle-income countries, development of comprehensive multidisciplinary breast and bone care programs, best-practice health care guidelines in limited-resource settings, mobile imaging as a tool to provide improved access for urban and rural marginalized women, and a description of Asha Jyoti (Ray of Hope in Hindi and Punjabi), a Women's Mobile Health Care Program. Asha Jyoti is a collaboration between RAD-AID, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research in Chandigarh, India, and Philips Healthcare. The program packages key screening tests in a mobile unit aimed at women 45 years and older to create a sustainable and reproducible health care model.